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Kaito's thoughts turned to the Eastern Empire from the original work.
The Eastern Empire is the most powerful nation in the Slime World, founded by the first hero, Rudra Nam Ul Nasca.
Rudra was a disciple of the Creator Veldanava and obtained the ultimate skill [Uriel, Lord of Vows] through his own efforts. However, because Veldanava disliked dominating others, he exchanged his own [Michael, Lord of Justice] with Rudra's [Uriel, Lord of Vows].
After Veldanava's death, [Uriel, Lord of Vows] was eventually acquired by Rimuru, giving rise to the theory that Rimuru is Veldanava's reincarnation.
As for the current Rudra, he was no longer himself. [Michael, Lord of Justice] had long since taken over.
Under Michael's control, the Eastern Empire's goal had shifted from unifying the world to reviving Veldanava.
The Eastern Empire commands three major legions: the Armored Division, the Magic Beast Division, and the Composite Division, totaling over three million soldiers.
Beyond these, there is the Imperial Intelligence Bureau, an intelligence organization operating in the shadows.
Then there are the Imperial Guardians, the empire's highest combat force, ranked by sequence. Nearly every single-digit member has awakened to Demon Lord-level strength.
Add to that Veldora's elder sister, the Scorch Dragon Velgrynd, and the Emperor himself.
Before Kaito had strengthened the Jura Tempest Federation, to put it bluntly, they wouldn't have even been fit to carry the Eastern Empire's shoes.
And yet, such a powerful nation hadn't attacked outright. They had sent an envoy to visit. That was genuinely puzzling.
'They have the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and their sequence members. System, should I go ahead and form a Round Table Knights?'
[Host, aren't you afraid of the Saber King coming after you for copyright fees?]
'Hmph, if she shows up, I'll recruit her too!'
"Kai-chan, is this Eastern Empire really that dangerous?"
Rimuru glanced at the silent Kaito with a hint of worry.
"Dangerous? When did I say that?"
Kaito looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"Then why have you been quiet for so long?"
"Hehe, I was just thinking about a few things. Don't worry. With me around, one Eastern Empire is nothing."
"Even if ten Eastern Empires decided to make things difficult for us, I'd still wipe them out in a single move!"
Hearing Kaito's confident declaration, everyone in the room let out an involuntary breath of relief.
Right. As long as Kaito-sama was here, no enemy stood a chance.
"Kagaya, receive them with proper hospitality. But if they dare cause trouble, don't hesitate. Kill them all!"
"If anything comes of it, I'll take responsibility!"
"Testarossa is always complaining she has nothing to do. This time, she'll have work."
Kagaya, having received Kaito's assurance, exhaled heavily.
All the pressure that had been sitting on his shoulders seemed to lift at once.
"Haha, that spirit of disregarding all enemies. Truly worthy of the man who overthrew the World Government."
Ben Beckman, standing nearby, spoke with genuine admiration.
"Hey, you! I am the Empress, ruler of the world, you know? Watch yourself, or I'll make things very difficult for you!"
Hearing Beckman's words, a certain mascot nearby couldn't resist making herself known.
"Yes, yes, yes, you are the Queen of the World, Her Majesty the Empress of the Empire. My apologies. Please, please don't make things difficult for me."
Listening to Beckman handle her like a small child, Rimuru's mouth immediately drooped. She tugged at Kaito and spoke with immense grievance:
"Kai-chan, look at him! He treats me like a child, but I am Her Majesty the Empress of the Empire!"
"Yes, yes, Mascot Empress."
Kaito replied perfunctorily, without a hint of sympathy.
"Damn it, the lot of you! I'll find a chance to dismiss you all sooner or later!"
Seeing that Kaito wasn't helping her, Rimuru's grievance instantly gave way to her true nature.
"Oh? Does that mean you'll start handling official duties from now on? I think Kagaya would be very happy, wouldn't you say?"
Hearing Kaito's words, Kagaya understood immediately and composed his expression into one of gentle, hopeful sincerity.
"Is that truly so? Your willingness to handle state affairs is something I have been looking forward to for a long time."
"Uh... that... this..."
Rimuru shrank under the weight of everyone's expectant stares.
"None of that hemming and hawing. Just give us the answer!"
Kaito pressed further, wearing a mischievous grin.
"Wuwuwu, I don't want to work! Work is too scary!"
Pushed to the brink, Rimuru deployed Milim's ultimate weapon: throwing a full tantrum and rolling around on the floor!
Everyone in the room watched her roll across the carpet with the same knowing smile.
'You little rascal. If you were genuinely that diligent, you wouldn't be the Jura Tempest Federation's beloved mascot.'
Kagaya truly did wish the leaders of the federation would come out and help with some of the work from time to time. But knowing the temperament of these particular individuals, he had long since stopped holding out much hope.
What could he do with the bosses he had chosen? Spoil them, of course.
"Alright, I won't make you work. I was joking. Stop throwing a tantrum."
"If Milim sees you like this, she'll tease you about it for a month."
Hearing Kaito's words, Rimuru's expression shifted instantly. She scrambled back onto the sofa, glanced around nervously, and upon confirming that Milim was probably still asleep, let out a quiet breath of relief.
"In a couple of days, Rimuru and I will be attending the Walpurgis Banquet, so we'll be away for a bit. But don't worry."
"Besides Sakuya, who will be coming with us, Diablo and the others will remain here just in case."
"And if even they can't hold things... actually, I'll leave Tenkuu here. That makes it completely foolproof."
Kaito thought it over and decided to leave behind his cherished sword Tenkuu, his intrinsic weapon that had grown alongside him.
At her current level, Tenkuu alone could cut down a crowd of Immortals below the Golden Immortal tier without breaking a sweat. In a world where Immortals didn't exist to begin with, calling her invincible would be an understatement.
Kaito could monitor the Jura Tempest Federation from any distance, of course. But this time he was going to freeload food and drinks at the banquet. He needed to keep his focus on that.
"You can rest assured. We will protect the Jura Tempest Federation without fail."
"Hahaha, of course I trust you! Oh, by the way, I heard Shanks went to the Demon World for a stroll?"
Beckman remembered that exasperating captain and replied with a helpless expression:
"Yeah. Word is he's been getting along very well with a female devil over there who's obsessed with robots..."
Kaito and Rimuru both sat up straight at the same moment, eyes sparkling as they stared at Beckman.
Gossip!
"You mean he has someone he likes?"
"It's not quite like that. They just spend a lot of time researching robots together."
"That's basically Shanks taking a fancy to her! Otherwise, that guy researching robots? More like the robots studying him!"
"I'll have to go check on him one of these days. I didn't expect this guy to skip military strategy and run off to the Demon World to study the Thirty-Six Stratagems of Love!"
"Kai-chan, this is so interesting! I want to go too!"
Rimuru raised her hand, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Obviously! The more the merrier. We'll all go and watch him make a fool of himself together!"
At that very moment, Shanks, who was busy discussing robot designs with Seekvaira Agares, heiress of the Agares Clan, suddenly shivered head to toe.
It felt like a powerful, malicious intent had fixed itself squarely on him from somewhere far away...